A casino (also called a gambling house or kasino) is an establishment offering various types of gambling. It is also a place where people can socialize, drink and dine. Some casinos are owned by governments, while others are privately owned. Most states have laws regulating casino gaming. In the United States, about 51 million people visited casinos in 2002. This number has increased as more states have legalized gambling and interstate competition has prompted many cities to seek ways to attract visitors.
Some casinos are built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships. Casinos in the United States are usually heavily regulated and feature security measures to prevent cheating and theft. Patrons and employees may be monitored with cameras, and some games have specific rules that must be followed to ensure fair play. For example, at card games, players must keep their cards visible at all times. In addition, casinos use specialized chips with microcircuitry that allows them to monitor wagers minute by minute and detect anomalies.
Although most people know about Las Vegas casinos, some less-familiar ones exist in places such as New Orleans and Chicago. Online casinos are increasingly popular, too. They offer a variety of casino games, often with high jackpots, and are available on PCs, laptops, and mobile devices. They can also be cheaper to run than a physical casino, which must pay dealers, rent and utilities. This means that players can get a better value for their money and enjoy more of the games they love.